Mustang Sally writer Mack Rice dies aged 82

29 June 2016

Mack Rice, the composer who wrote Mustang Sally, has died in Detroit at the age of 82.

His wife Laura Rice confirmed he died at their home on Monday of complications resulting from Alzheimer's disease.

Rice started out as a singer in the 1950s with his band The Falcons before becoming a solo singer and songwriter.

As a composer, he is also known for co-writing one of the Staple Singers' biggest hits, Respect Yourself.

His funeral is set to take place on 7 July.

Wilson Pickett made Mustang Sally a hit when he recorded it in 1967

Rice originally recorded Mustang Sally himself in 1965, but the song was not initially a hit.

It became a chart success two years later, after Rice's former Falcons bandmate Wilson Pickett asked if he could record it.

Mustang Sally's popularity led Rice to focus on a career as a song writer.

"When he wrote Mustang Sally and he saw that royalty cheque, he started writing," Laura Rice said.

"He never thought it would ever be as big as it became. He used to tell me, 'Honey that Mustang has rolled a long time.'"

Rice went on to write songs mostly for the Motown and Stax record labels.

Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Albert King and Ike And Tina Turner are among artists who have sung songs written by Rice.